THE "NEW ART" IN ARCHITECTURE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 7

THE "NEW ART" IN ARCHITECTURE

NORWICH CHAMBERS. Quite a dop<irturo from the stereotyped stucco building which characterises the business area of this city,is the striking suite of offices erected to the order of Mr. A. E. Kernot by Messrs. E. and A. Reynall, contractors, from designs drawn by Messrs. Crichton and .M'Kay, the architects. The building, which stands opposite the Bank of New Zealand frontage in Customhouse Quay, is a handsome three-storied structure, with a basement floor, faccd in tcrra-cotta, with the armorial- hearings of the City of Norwich near tho top. Tho oriol windows add to tho imposing appearance of the building. Certain details of construction have been introduced which will muko tho building damp-proof and practically earth-quake-proof. There are five strong-rooms, each fitted with Chubb's burglar ■ and fire-proof doors, and the building will be heated by means of gas fires, twenty-five in number. The electric lighting installation is by Messrs. Ttirnbull and Jones, and the ornamental ceiling work by tho Carrara Ceiling Company, Tho office decorations and cornices were es'ocuted by Messrs. R. and E. Tingey; Mr. Martin was contractor for tho plumbing; the plastering was by Messrs. Foley Bros., and Mr. Hunt was Clerk of Works, it is inlovi'sting to nnte in connection with tho completion of this addition to tho business premises of tho city, that one of the oldest and wealthiest of the English insurance companies, the Norwich Union life office, has opened up a direct agency with Mr. Kernot.